U.S. DOE SC - Environmental System Science (ESS)

The DOE SC program in Biological and Environmental Research (BER) hereby announces its interest in receiving applications for research in Environmental System Science (ESS). The goal of the ESS program in BER is to advance an integrated, robust, and scale-aware predictive understanding of terrestrial systems and their interdependent microbial, biogeochemical, ecological, hydrological, and physical processes. To support this goal, the program uses a systems approach to develop an integrative framework to elucidate the complex processes and controls on the structure, function, feedbacks, and dynamics of terrestrial systems, that span from molecular to global scales, and extend from the bedrock through the soil, rhizosphere, and vegetation to the atmosphere. The ESS program scope advances foundational process knowledge with an emphasis on understudied ecosystems.

This FOA will consider applications that focus on measurements, experiments, field data, modeling, and synthesis to provide improved understanding and representation of ecosystems and watersheds in ways that advance the sophistication and capabilities of models that span from individual processes to Earth-system scales. This FOA will encompass three Science Research Areas (SRAs): 1) plant-microbe interactions in the rhizosphere; 2) consequences of large-scale shifts in vegetation composition; and 3) synthesis studies that focus on legacy effects or the carbon cycle and disturbance.

There are several areas of interest:

• SRA 1: Plant-microbe Interactions in the Rhizosphere
• SRA 2: Consequences of Large-scale Shifts in Vegetation Composition
• SRA 3: Synthesis Studies

• Pre-application: Nov. 29, 2023
• Application: Feb. 29, 2024

• Funder Website: https://www.energy.gov/science/office-science-funding-opportunities  
• Link to call: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/350781
• Application portal link: Pre-applications are created in the software system of your choice and must be submitted electronically through the DOE SC Portfolio Analysis and Management System (PAMS) website https://pamspublic.science.energy.gov/ by the prime.

• Funder contact details: Questions regarding the specific program areas and technical requirements may be directed to the prime applicant.
• Feel free to contact the  Research Office for any discussion on this opportunity